This pic is three years old, but I love it so I’m using it anyway. (Photo: Chris Gordon)
The ol’ ice cheetah, Jason Chimera, was one of the brightest and baldest spots on the Caps this season. Let’s make fun of hi— I mean, let’s talk about him.
By the Numbers
| 82 | Games played |
| 15.1 | Average time on ice per game |
| 15 | Goals |
| 27 | Assists |
| 46.6% | Shot attempt percentage during 5v5 |
| 52.10% | Goal percentage during 5v5 |
| 9.9% | On-ice shooting percentage during 5v5 |
| 92.1% | On-ice saving percentage during 5v5 |
Peter’s Take
Flashback to the week one snapshot:
I worry for Fehr when alongside Joel Ward and Jason Chimera, two players whose talents seem redundant. The third line, as currently constructed, doesn’t pose much offensive threat as far as I can tell.
Haha. What an idiot. The Capitals’ third line was their best and most consistent. They weren’t necessarily strong at possession (except when Grabo was up the middle), but they were positively excellent at chasing down pucks and cycling. Jason Chimera’s speed and tenacity was an important factor in that success– as was his team high 9.9 5v5 on-ice shooting percentage. A shot with Chimera on the ice was more than twice as likely to go in than one with Ovechkin on the ice. That’s crazy dumb.
At 35, Chimera is now the Caps’ team elder. Despite his age and all the uncertainty surrounding this summer, I’m confident we’ll see Chimmer taking shifts with Ward again next season. When together, they drove possession better by between 3 and 6 percentage points compared to when they were apart.
You don’t want every forward playing like Jason Chimera– particularly in the top six, but on that contract and on the third line, he is a superb role player. Now let’s see if he can keep it up next season.
Chimdog on RMNB
- Chimera crashed Chris Brown’s interview with Al Koken to… uh… be heavy metal or something.
- Chimmer lobbied hard to get Corey Perry to join the Capitals. Kind of.
- Bombed by Backstrom.
- On Elliot in the Morning in October, Chimera kinda discussed Adam Oates’ territory over possession philosophy: “It’s not rocket science. It’s just get it out and live to fight another day.” I spoke with Igor Kleyner, who confirmed that Oates hockey indeed was not rocket science.
- Back in September, I pointed to likely progression on Chimera’s shooting percentage and predicted “14-15 goals” for him. Chimmer scored 15. No one owes me a burrito or anything, but I’m putting this in here because I need the self-esteem boost.
- Great piece by your boy Chris Gordon on the magic of Chimera-Ward.
- The shove of love.
In Pictures
Jason Chimera filled in as Mike Vogel on Two-Man Advantage. His hair-flip is lustrous.
And here’s him lovingly slapping Ward.
I’m still not sure whose goal this is.
Your Turn
Why do you think Jason Chimera was able to outscore the opposition despite getting outshot? Please don’t say “because corsi is wrong, nerd.” Can Chimera keep it up next year? Do you think I should’ve just reviewed Chimera and Ward together? They’re basically the same person. I can’t even tell them apart.
Read more: Japers Rink
